Sixteen students from the school, based at the Arrillaga Recreation Center, took part in the tournament, with categories including self-defense techniques, traditional empty hand and weapon forms. The Menlo Park team competed in a field of almost 900 competitors representing 110 schools from around the world.
The trip to Houston proved to be a great success with the team earning 43 medals, including 9 Gold medals. Chief Instructor Kristin Quintana said, “I was very proud of everyone who competed. They dedicated a lot of extra time to preparing, and I saw a level of studying and learning in the months leading up to competition that I haven’t seen before with this team.”
Nishant Relan, a senior at Menlo-Atherton High, earned the title of 2nd Degree Youth Men’s Grand Champion. The Grand Champion Title is awarded to the Black Belt with the best overall score in their division across six events, including at least one Gold Medal. “[Winning Grand Champion] never crossed my mind when I was training,” Nishant told us. “This year I was just setting personal goals for myself. I kept imagining the kids from last year, trying to see if I could beat my image of them.”
Annika Peterson, an M-A Junior, won 1st Degree Youth Women’s Grand Champion. Annika said, “The competition was really inspiring. Everyone is really good, and everyone respects that, and that’s just really fun. It makes me want to train harder and compete with new people next year.”
Both Annika and Nishant were also Grand Champions earlier this year at the WKSA Pacific Regional Tournament.
For further information on this family based martial arts system, which encourages self-esteem, confidence, leadership, discipline and different levels of skills and fitness call 650-787-2226 now to learn about our introductory program.
For a Lively and Information Packed Interview, Contact Richard Quintana, 650-787-2226
http://www.menloparkmartialarts.com
